New Attempt for Munich's Legendary Surf Wave on the Eisbach - Munich's legendary Eisbach wave fades—but surfers refuse to let it die
Munich's iconic Eisbach wave, a favourite among surfers for decades, has vanished due to natural erosion and shifting river conditions. Now, city officials and the local surfing community are teaming up to bring it back—but with stricter safety rules in place.
The Eisbachwelle first disappeared in October 2022 after maintenance work removed debris and sediment from the stream bed. It made a brief comeback over Christmas that year when an illegal ramp was installed, but authorities dismantled it for safety reasons.
By early 2024, the wave had flattened and become unstable. Heavy winter floods in 2023-2024 altered the river's flow, causing erosion and sediment shifts. These changes made the wave shallower and less reliable, raising concerns that it could vanish permanently without intervention.
In April 2023, a surfer died in an accident at the site, prompting a temporary closure and tighter safety measures. Despite this, the first official attempt to restore the wave took place recently, with some early success.
Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) has publicly backed the project, wishing the surfers luck. Once the wave returns, the city plans to collaborate with authorities and the surfing community to create a legal framework for its use.
The restored Eisbach wave will only be open to experienced surfers, following the new safety guidelines. If successful, the project could secure the future of Munich's most famous urban surf spot—but only with ongoing maintenance and careful oversight.
